Goren on Bridge

Published 8:05 pm, Sunday, February 16, 2014

Weekly Bridge Quiz Answers

Q 1 — Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ K 9 5 ♥ Q 2 ♦ A 10 9 7 3 2 ♣ A 6

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1♣Pass 1♦Pass

2♣Pass ?

What call would you make?

A — Three no trump seems the most likely contract, but the heart suit is a worry. Many would gamble it out, but a two-spade bid here would never be raised — partner has denied a four-card major with his re-bid. It will focus partner's attention on the need for a heart stopper. We like two spades.

Q 2 — East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

More Information

♠ K J 7 ♥ 6 ♦ A 10 9 8 4 ♣ K 6 4 2

As dealer, what call would you make?

A — Prime honors — aces and kings — are a bit undervalued by the 4-3-2-1 point count. Secondary honors — queens, jacks and 10s — are more valuable when working with higher honors. Those factors are in play with this hand, as well as the existence of an easy re-bid. Open one diamond.

Q 3 — North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ 4 ♥ K 10 5 ♦ K Q J 6 4 2 ♣ 10 7 5

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2♦* Pass 2NT 3♣

?

*-weak

What call would you make?

A — Without the overcall, we would have re-bid three hearts to show a maximum weak two-bid with a feature in hearts. Does the overcall change anything? Not really. Bid three hearts.

Q 4 — Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ K 8 7 2 ♥ K 8 6 4 ♦ A 7 ♣ A 8 4

Right-hand opponent opens one heart. What call would you make?

A — You have the wrong shape for double, are not strong enough to bid one no trump, and you shouldn't overcall with a poor four-card suit. What's left? Pass.

Q 5 — Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A K 5 2 ♥ K Q 7 2 ♦ A K 4 ♣ 5 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♦Pass Pass 1♥

?

What call would you make?

A — Partner has denied having as many as six points, so we would pass with a balanced 12-14. We would have opened one no trump with 15-17, so what would a one no trump bid mean now? A balanced 18-19! Bid one no trump.

Q 6 — Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A Q 7 5 ♥ A Q 8 5 ♦ A K 10 9 ♣ 7

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1♦Pass Pass 2♣

?

What call would you make?

A — Similar to question five, 12-14 point hands shouldn't bid again in this position. All bids show a good hand or extreme distribution. Double is for takeout, asking partner to pick the trump suit, knowing about the suit you chose to open with. Double.